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Conservatory Greenhouse

Cymbidium lowianum

Low's boat orchid

A large lithophytic or epiphytic orchid species to 90cm tall, preferring cooler conditions for optimum growth. Ovoid pseudobulbs and linear leaves to 75cm and apple-green flowers with a dark-red edge to the lip are produced on long, arching stems any time from autumn through to late winter or spring

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1C

Botanical details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Cymbidium are epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial orchids with prominent spherical to ovoid pseudobulbs, long linear leaves and fleshy white roots. Several long lasting showy flowers with a distinctive 3-lobed lip are borne on erect or arching flower spikes from the bases of the pseudobulbs
Name status: Correct
Plant range: China (S. Yunnan) to N. Indo-China

How to grow

Cultivation

Requires day temperatures around 16°C and 10°C at night. Provide good light levels, but avoid direct sunlight. Pot firmly into epiphytic or terrestrial orchid compost, water thoroughly when compost is almost dry, allow to drain and use orchid fertiliser at every third watering. Water sparingly in winter. Place outside in dappled shade during the summer months to aid flower initiation. See cymbidium cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division of pseudobulbs when pot-bound or repotting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required, cut down flowered stems to base

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free. Sterilising cutting tools may prevent virus diseases, such as Cymbidium Mosaic Virus (CMV).

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